Energy & Power: Understanding the Laws of Thermodynamics

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The discussion centers on the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics, which asserts that entropy increases, leading to the interpretation that energy is often wasted, though this does not violate the 1st Law of Thermodynamics. A scenario involving a person pulling a toboggan at a constant velocity raises questions about the work done by friction, calculated using the tension in the rope and the angle of pull. Additionally, the work done by an elevator lifting a person and their belongings is analyzed, with calculations provided for both upward and downward movements. The concept of "waste" is clarified as a loss of useful energy, not energy destruction, emphasizing that efficiency in processes is always less than 100%. Understanding these principles is essential for grasping energy dynamics in physical systems.
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1) The 2nd Law of Thermodynamics states that, “Entropy always increases.” Your high school physics teacher claims that this can be interpreted as “Energy is always wasted,” but this seems to violate the 1st Law! How is this NOT a violation?

2) A person pulls a toboggan for a distance of 35.0 m by pulling on a rope that makes an angle of 25.0° above the snow. The toboggan moves at a constant velocity. If the tension in the rope is
94.0 N, how much work is done by friction?

3) Your friend moves into an apartment at the beginning of a college semester. His weight is 685 N. His belongings weigh 915 N. How much work does the elevator do while lifting your friend and his belongings 15.2 m upwards at a constant velocity? How much work does the elevator do on your friend – without his belongings – on the downward trip, also at a constant velocity?
 
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You have to recognise what is "waste". Waste is not a matter of the energy getting destroyed. Waste is a loss of useful energy, often as heat. All this means is that the effeciency of a process must be less than 100%.
 
Originally posted by DaFreestyle
1) The 2nd Law of Thermodynamics states that, “Entropy always increases.” Your high school physics teacher claims that this can be interpreted as “Energy is always wasted,” but this seems to violate the 1st Law! How is this NOT a violation?

2) A person pulls a toboggan for a distance of 35.0 m by pulling on a rope that makes an angle of 25.0° above the snow. The toboggan moves at a constant velocity. If the tension in the rope is
94.0 N, how much work is done by friction?

3) Your friend moves into an apartment at the beginning of a college semester. His weight is 685 N. His belongings weigh 915 N. How much work does the elevator do while lifting your friend and his belongings 15.2 m upwards at a constant velocity? How much work does the elevator do on your friend – without his belongings – on the downward trip, also at a constant velocity?


You should post this in the Homework help section... and show how far you have got!
 
Originally posted by DaFreestyle
2) A person pulls a toboggan for a distance of 35.0 m by pulling on a rope that makes an angle of 25.0° above the snow. The toboggan moves at a constant velocity. If the tension in the rope is
94.0 N, how much work is done by friction?

W = (35)(94)cos(25)

3) Your friend moves into an apartment at the beginning of a college semester. His weight is 685 N. His belongings weigh 915 N. How much work does the elevator do while lifting your friend and his belongings 15.2 m upwards at a constant velocity? How much work does the elevator do on your friend – without his belongings – on the downward trip, also at a constant velocity?

W_1 = (15.2)(685 + 915)

W_2 = (15.2)(685)


Are you sure you even looked at the problems before posting them?
 
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